Radar chirp waveform selection and circuit optimization using ACPR load-pull measurements

Due to tightening spectral criteria, joint optimization of radar transmitter waveform and circuit is considered to minimize the nonlinearity and waveform induced spectral spreading of radar transmitters. This work demonstrates the ACPR load-pull measurement of a power amplifier under excitation from two chirp waveforms. The results are compared to allow selection of the optimum chirp and transmitter load impedance. This work represents a beginning effort toward the real-time, computationally intelligent transmitter optimization in future reconfigurable radar systems.